ESL Driving Conversation

This page has a couple of example ESL driving conversations for you to see how a natural English conversation would occur. This will be very useful if you visit another country as driving and traveling are very large parts of modern life.

The two example conversations have been made into cartoons so you can watch them instead of just reading them on the screen, if you prefer to do that. If there is any vocabulary that you do not understand, then you can look at the ESL driving vocabulary page, as this has many words and their definitions.

After the example ESL driving conversations there are the following 3 exercises for you to do to help you get better at having driving conversations:

• Fill in blanks in a conversation.
• Writing a conversation of your own.
• Conversation topics so you can have a discussion with your friends.

Conversation 1

Situation: Jane and Andrew have an accident on campus.

Jane: Hey, Andrew. I haven’t seen you for a while. What’s new?
Andrew: Hi, Jane. Yes, I’ve been busy with classes. 
Jane: Yes, me too. Are you busy right now?
Andrew: No, I’m free for half an hour. Do you want to get some coffee at the Cafe?
Jane: Sure. That sounds great!
Andrew: Okay. Let’s take my car. I need to hurry though because I have class soon.
Jane: Andrew, don’t you think you should slow down? You’re tailgating the car in front of you.
Andrew: Don’t worry. Nothing will happen. 
Jane: Stop! Oh, no! You hit his car! Pull over on the side of the road.
Andrew:  I should have listened to you! Now I’ll have to pay for the damages.
Professor Higgs: Andrew, you hit my car. There are scratches on the back and it is missing paint.
Andrew: I’m very sorry, Dr. Higgs. I should not have tailgated. I’ll pay for the damages.
Professor Higgs: Thank you. I hope you drive more safely in the future.
Andrew: I’ll be more careful next time. Please send me the bill for the repairs.
Professor Higgs: Okay. See you in class.
Andrew: See you.

Conversation 2

Situation: Lucy helps Patrick find the Science Building at the University.

Patrick: Excuse me, do you know where the Chemistry Building is?
Lucy: No. Are you a new student at the University?
Patrick: Yes. I just moved here from the U.S. I’m on my way to class, and I’m lost.
Lucy: Oh, no! I don’t know where that building is, but I can help you find it.
Patrick: Really? Thank you so much. My name is Patrick. What’s yours?
Lucy: I’m Lucy. It’s nice to meet you! My car is over there. I’ll drive.
Patrick: Thank you for offering to help me. This university has a huge campus.
Lucy: Yes. It’s very big. Do you want to put your books in the boot?
Patrick: I’m sorry. I don’t understand. What is the boot? 
Lucy: It’s the storage area in the back of a car.  What do you call it in America?
Patrick: We call it a trunk.
Lucy: Interesting. Okay. Let’s go.
Patrick: Sorry, but aren’t you in the wrong lane? 
Lucy: No, we drive in the left lane in England. 
Patrick: Really? I never noticed.
Lucy: I’m going to stop here and ask for directions. I’ll be right back.
Patrick: Sure.
Lucy: Okay. The man said we should drive straight and the Chemistry Building will be on our right.
Patrick: Look! There it is!
Lucy: Excellent. I hope you won’t be late for class.
Patrick: No. I’m right on time. Thanks for the ride, Lucy!
Lucy: No worries!

ESL Driving Conversation Exercises

You should now do the following 3 ESL driving conversation exercises. As you have read and understood the example conversations above, it is time for you to use your knowledge to talk about driving.

Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks

In this first ESL driving conversation exercise you need to read the following conversation and decide which option (A-D) should fill each of the 5 gaps. Once you have finished you can see your score and the correct answers by clicking the get score button.

Situation: Bob helps Tui practice for her driving test.

Tui: Hey, Bob. _________(1)_________?
Bob: Hello, Tui. I’m doing fine. How about you?
Tui: I’m doing well. I’m going to take my driving test tomorrow, and I need to practice.
Bob: I see. _________(2)_________?
Tui: Yes, that would be great! Where can I practice?
Bob: I think the university campus is a good place. There are lots of turns and places to practice parking. 
Tui: Yes, that’s a good idea. Let’s go.
Bob: Okay. Put your seat belt on and look at your rearview mirror before you back up. 
Tui: Sure. _________(3)_________?
Bob:  Turn the steering wheel to the left. Good job! Now, turn on your right blinker and turn right. 
Tui: Okay. _________(4)_________. I can use the parking lot ahead. 
Bob: Great. Slow down a little and pull in to a parking space.
Tui: Right. I’ll park beside the red convertible.
Bob: Perfect. You’re a great driver, Tui. You will do well on the driving test.
Tui: _________(5)_________.  I have to go to class now. See you later.
Bob: Okay. Bye.

ESL Driving Conversation

Choose the best option (A-D) in the following five questions to fill in the blanks in the driving conversation given above.

1) Which option is the best to fill in the first blank?

    A) Where are you
    B) How are you
    C) Where is your next class
    D) What time is it

2) Which option is the best to fill in the second blank?

    A) Would you like me to help you
    B) Who will help you
    C) When is your test
    D) What car will you drive

3) Which option is the best to fill in the third blank?

    A) Where should I go
    B) Should I stop
    C) Where can I park
    D) Should I turn the steering wheel left or right

4) Which option is the best to fill in the fourth blank?

    A) I’d like to practice parking now
    B) I’d like to practice backing up
    C) I’d like to go home now
    D) I’d like to take get something to drink

5) Which option is the best to fill in the fifth blank?

    A) Thanks for helping me practice
    B) Thanks for giving me my driving test
    C) Thanks for driving me to class
    D) Thanks for lending me your car

Score =

Correct answers:

Exercise 2 – Writing a Conversation

This second ESL driving conversation requires you to write a conversation of your own. You need to decide who the people will be that will have the conversation, where it will happen and what it will be about. If you need any help use the driving vocabulary page to find the best words. Once you have finished writing you conversation you should find some friends to read it out loud with you to practice speaking.

Exercise 3 – Conversation Topics

For the final ESL driving conversation activity you will need to have a conversation with your friend. There are 2 sets of 5 questions each. You should take one set and your friend can have the other. Then take turns to ask each other questions. Try to speak as much a possible and give full answers, also if you can think of more questions, ask those as well. At the end you can swap the question sets and start again.

You can also download the questions on conversation cards by clicking the following picture.

For more conversation cards you can download my ‘80 ESL Conversation Cards’ ebook.

Question set A

• Can you drive?
• Is it difficult to pass the driving test in your country?
• What are the different speed limits in your country?
• Do you like driving?
• Have you ever had an accident while driving?

Question set B

• Do you own a vehicle?
• Would you like a job where you have to drive a lot?
• Is it dangerous to drive in your country?
• Why is it good to be able to drive?
• Do you think there are any people who should not be allowed to drive, why?

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